We cannot remain silent in front of a public exhibition of a tortured and abused bear. This is not what we want to see in Durres streets. It offends us to have to accept a public torture... and we won't. We will keep fighting for the Durres bear. We cannot forget the pain and the despair in his eyes. Albania is a friendly country but the way animals are treated needs a radical change.

I am approaching you to ask for your help.Albania is moving towards a more European perspective on many things: I am not saying it is an easy step but altogether we are going towards this direction. I am convinced it is the right direction.However, there are still some issues that require a serious review and stronger / tougher decisions. I am referring to the fate of animals. These animals are our animals, they are Albanian animals and no one in Europe will see it as "nobody's animals". They are ours and we, you and I and the society, are responsible for them. We must urgently change our approach to them if we want to be part of Europe. I want to bring to your attention a pathetic example. There is a bear (a protected specie) being pulled by a chain and walking in the Durres streets. The Albanian laws are clear on this issue: it is forbidden. Apart from this legal aspect, for which unfortunately the law is clearly not enforced, there are two other aspects to take into consideration:1) the third-world image we are giving to the foreign visitors2) the suffering of the animalForeigners from EU member states are appalled to see a bear, enduring torture and abuse, in the modern alleys of Durres. They cannot believe that this is still allowed in our country. And I feel ashamed. I feel ashamed for our image, I feel ashamed for authorities not enforcing the laws and I feel ashamed when I see the bear suffering: he is the victim of all our (yours included) negligence.I urge you, Minister Mediu and Mayor Dako, to take a clear and strict stand on this issue. We, Albanians, will all benefit from that.With all my respectSincerely,